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Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health Care

Did You Know?

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) on average die 25 years younger than the general population, largely due to preventable health conditions (National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, 2006). These conditions are often related to lack of exercise, smoking, poor diets, and medication side effects, causing ailments such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease. The Assurance Health & Wellness Center will promote healthy lifestyles and wellness among people with SMI as an integral part of their recovery process. To best improve the physical health of members, the Center will teach effective, culturally appropriate, and sustainable lifestyle interventions. These interventions will include structured approaches that help people engage in physical activity, manage their weight, eat a more balanced and healthy diet, and pursue more healthy activities. The Assurance model will also utilize the strength of peer support in all programming. Members will participate in programs with people they know, who are often facing the same challenges to maintaining a state of physical and mental well-being. Current best practice models will include key aspects of Whole Health Action Management ("WHAM"), an evidence-based model created by the SAMHSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions. Assurance will implement a model of integrated physical and mental health services, peer support, group and individual education, on-site and community-based services with an intense focus on medical or primary care.

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The Assurance Health & Wellness Center is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinfonía HealthCare Corporation. The Assurance Center will expand on the successful features of a number of sophisticated medical services including: primary care, medication monitoring, pharmacy, dental and lab in order to truly integrate traditional medical care with behavioral health. Case management, employment services, assistance with housing needs and health and wellness programs will be integrated within the Center.

The approach adopted by Sinfonía HealthCare and the Assurance Wellness Center is firmly rooted in what is currently known about supporting the health and well-being of people living with mental health and substance abuse issues. The Medical Directors Council of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors released a report in October 2006 that states "People with serious mental illness served by the public mental health system die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population." The report, Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness, says that increased morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) are largely due to preventable conditions such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Preventable health risk factors include: obesity, smoking, substance abuse, and inadequate access to medical care.